In 2001 the Council of Europe and the European Union jointly organised The European Year of Languages. This was successful in involving millions of people across 45 countries. Its activities celebrated linguistic diversity in Europe and promoted language learning. Following the success of the Year of Languages, the Council of Europe declared a European Day of Languages to be celebrated on 26th of September each year.
The general objectives of the European Day of Languages are:
1. Alerting the public to the importance of language learning and diversifying the range of languages learnt in order to increase plurilingualism and intercultural understanding;
2. Promoting the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe, which must be preserved and fostered;
3. Encouraging lifelong language learning in and out of school, whether for study purposes, for professional needs, for purposes of mobility or for pleasure and exchanges.
Sixteen years later it is as important as ever to use the language of your customer and to understand his language if you want to be successful in international business.
